Search
Search
News
Multimedia
Sports
Arts & Culture
Opinion
Subscribe
Life & Times
Fine Arts
Features
Send a News Tip
100 Years
Archive
Advertise
Donate

Subscribeto The Echo

The Echo

Friday, March 24, 2023 Print Edition

Donate

  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Arts & Culture
  • Life & Times
  • Features
  • Fine Arts
  • Multimedia
  • Archive
  • 100 Years
  • Advertise
  • Send a Tip
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Arts & Culture
  • Life & Times
  • Features
  • Fine Arts
  • Multimedia
  • Archive
  • 100 Years
  • Advertise
  • Send a News Tip
Search

Subscribe

Subscribe to The Echo

The Echo aims to represent the views of diverse voices on Taylor University's campus fairly and without bias and to be a vehicle of accurate and pertinent information to the student body. The Echo also aims to be a forum that fosters healthy discussion about relevant issues, acting as a catalyst for change on our campus.

Fill out my online form.

3/3/2023, 12:00am

What does accessibility look like?

Responding to another column

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

I am writing in regard to the opinion piece entitled, “Helping Make Campus Accessible,” timely and transparently written and published in the Oct. 22, 2022, edition of The Echo.

Accessibility is an ongoing issue on Taylor’s campus, and this article sheds light on an issue cloaked in darkness. The idea that a campus ideally filled with love and grace and mercy would not exemplify these things to those with physical or mental disabilities simply as a result of a lack of structure is deeply concerning at best.

This article addresses this concern with grace and even acknowledges the University’s

prior attempts for accommodation.

However, these attempts still may not be enough. Because there is still room to grow into the kind of community that we say we want to be.

While Taylor University may be “required to provide equal access to education for students with disabilities through accommodations according to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,” the Echo reads, the terms “equal access” and “disability” are entirely too broad.

What does equal access look like on a realistic, logistical level?

Even if a classroom is big enough to accommodate a student with a wheelchair, what desk options are presented for these students? Can it accommodate two wheelchairs?

If a student is able to live on the first floor but can never attend events on other floors because of a lack of viable transportation options, is this equal access?

If a student has learning impairments, are there enough teachers with training in those areas to actually accommodate and teach him or her well?

According to the ADA of 1990, these should all be considerations of the institution,

which applies to both public and private schools alike: “The ADA's standard of accessible design incorporates seven principles: equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort and size and space for approach and use into the design of a space or facility”(ADA, p.1).

Each of these components are laid out in detail to set a uniform standard for all schools and universities. 

Among the details presented is the requirement that at least five percent of classroom tables must be wheelchair-accessible, “For theater-style seating, the seats must be 21 inches wide or

larger and fold-down tablet arms should be provided. Aisles should be present in the lecture hall

to provide connection between the teacher and students”(ADA, p. 1). Additionally, this act states

that there must be an accessible route to all sleeping rooms.

It should be recognized that these modifications are a big ask of any institution, let alone

one which exists in one of the poorest counties in Indiana. The act itself states that it “does not

require that school districts make building modifications that would create an undue financial

burden on the school district or alter programs in a way that would change the fundamental

nature of the program to accommodate disabilities”(ADA, p. 3).

However, Taylor University is also not powerless, and has a substantial amount of donor support and incoming students. Finances are simply a matter of prioritization and asking the difficult but important questions of where money has been allocated thus far.

It appears that even though the University means well, and there are certainly many

students with good intentions, those with physical and mental impairments are still suffering.

This begs the question, is it enough to mean well by these students? Is it enough to claim love

but allocate resources in every other area?

For Christ followers looking to the example of Jesus, the love and sacrifice of the Savior provides a clear message. Jesus not only said He would love us, but He did everything in His almighty power to do so. He not only made promises, but saw them through. He didn’t see His creation groaning in pain and suffering only to send a “Get well soon” card. He gave everything for our gain.

On this miniscule, earthly level, can’t we do the same to love our brothers and sisters

around us?

 

Kayleigh Khavari is a junior Politics & Public Service major.


Share



Related Stories

Our View: Helping make campus accessible

By The Echo Editorial Board

Push buttons are intended to provide equal access to campus facilities.

University advancing accessibility across campus for students

By Kay Rideout

Provost Jewerl Maxwell and his family arrived at Taylor in November of this year.

Getting to know the provost and his family

By Katie Pfotzer


Most Popular


3/7/2023, 12:00am

People ponder meaning behind panini press posters

By Lilia Snyder

D.C. raises awareness for new dining options


3/8/2023, 12:00am

Looking into the abortion debate


3/17/2023, 12:00am

Foodie Fix: Spotlighting Ashley’s Ice Cream


2/27/2023, 12:00am

Arizona J-term trip cherished by Taylor baseball, softball


The Echo To Homepage
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Covers
  • Awards
  • Get Involved

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2023 The Echo

Powered by
Solutions by The State News.

Taylor University